2. Diabetes. According to a Harvard study, drinking just 1 can of soda (diet or regular) can increase your chances of developing Type 2 Diabetes by almost 15%.

3. Calories. A typical can of regular soda is 150-170 calories. I know people who drink 3 or more of these a day. That's 500+ calories just in your beverages. If you're trying to lose weight, and eating around 1200-1500 calories a day, there is no room for those calories!

What about things like Vitamin Water? In my opinion, they're still a "no". The "vitamin water" type beverages are just sugar water with extra vitamins added, really. They still contain either a ton of sugar or artificial sweeteners.

Instead, go for waters that use natural essences instead of artificial stuff. You can find fruit flavors, mint, I've even seen flavors like cinnamon - all for 0 calories and no artificial stuff. Or - dress up your own water by tossing mint leaves and/or sliced citrus fruit into a pitcher of water!